The eagerly awaited documentary Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality is set to hit theaters nationwide for a limited time from April 27–29, 2025. This release coincides with the canonization of Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint, by Pope Francis on April 27. Acutis, who died at just 15 in 2006, is revered for his extraordinary devotion to the Eucharist and his use of technology to spread the faith.
Produced by Castletown Media in collaboration with Catholic filmmaker Jim Wahlberg, the documentary sheds light on Acutis’ life and the lessons he offers to young people navigating today’s digital world. Roadmap to Reality blends live-action, animation, and documentary-style interviews, offering a multifaceted look at Acutis’ legacy. It features interviews with Acutis’ family, friends, and experts in both technology and faith, exploring pressing questions about artificial intelligence and our increasingly connected lives.
The documentary also tracks a group of high school students as they embark on a pilgrimage from North Dakota to Italy to visit Acutis’ tomb. As part of the pilgrimage, the students are required to leave their phones behind and disconnect from technology, reflecting the film’s theme of finding a balance between the digital and real worlds. “One of the themes in the film is that he [Acutis] was online to lead people offline,” said Tim Moriarty, the director of the film and founder of Castletown Media. “He was online to lead people back to the Eucharist, back to real encounters” (according to CNA).
The documentary’s focus on Acutis’ use of technology to draw people back to the Eucharist resonates with his enduring message. “Carlo’s life provides a road map away from the distractions of the virtual world to the real world, especially through his devotion to the Eucharist — his ‘highway to heaven,’” Moriarty explained (according to CNA). The film’s release is especially poignant as it comes shortly before Acutis’ canonization Mass, which will take place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. local time in St. Peter’s Square.
Pope Francis announced Acutis’ canonization date on November 20, 2024, during the Church’s Jubilee of Teenagers. Acutis, an Italian teenager who was passionate about computer programming and the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, will be the first millennial to be canonized. This historic moment is expected to inspire countless young people around the world, offering them a powerful example of faith in the modern age.
Fathom Events, which previously partnered with Castletown Media on the successful documentary Jesus Thirsts: The Miracle of the Eucharist, is distributing Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality. According to Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, “This captivating real-life, modern-day story is sure to resonate with audiences of all faiths and backgrounds, leaving a lasting impact and inspiring countless hearts.”
As the Church prepares to celebrate the canonization of this remarkable young man, Roadmap to Reality offers a timely and relevant message, encouraging viewers to reflect on how they engage with the digital world and reminding them of the true source of life — the Eucharist.
